Dark Witch
Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia
A/N: This chapter has been altered.
Chapter 11: Forbidden Temptations
Edmund was in mourning. He had witnessed the Narnians who were trapped in Miraz's castle. All cornered to the gate while being shot by countless arrows. When he saw Eirlys pinned to the wall, he begged his griffin to go down and save her and others. However, the griffin was given orders to get the Silver King to safety.
In-flight, he pulled out a black silk handkerchief. He has kept it on his person since the day in the cave. By some miracle, Aslan let Edmund keep Eirlys handkerchief. A piece of delicate silk fabric with a silver embroidery of an E. He was teased by his siblings, who assumed it was from a maiden back in Cair Paravel or Archenland. But the truth was the woman he fell for.
There was a bond formed between Edmund and Eirlys. How they clicked, he would never know, but the secure connection was there. When he returned to Narnia, seeing the ruins of Cair Paravel and what Lucy said…his heart broke. Believing that Eirlys died long ago from age. Until seeing her again being thrown into the river by Telmarines. It was shocking to see she hadn't aged and was still alive. Happy to see her alive, until realization struck that she was in her adult form of a young woman. Comparing her appearance to that of a twenty-year-old, meanwhile, he was stuck as a fifteen-year-old boy, not a man she last remembers.
It was spring once more. They were by a lake that the beavers used to live before resigning in Cair Paravel. Another Spring festival being arranged that the Narnians were there in preparation. As usual, Edmund would sneak off to see Eirlys. It was the springtime that Peter and Susan are too busy. Edmund would lie, saying he was scouting the area and needed fresh air. Lucy believed him.
They sat on the blanket near the shore. Philip and Garnet close by as they spoke in the horse language. Edmund stared at Eirlys, seeing her dressed in a navy-blue dress. The bodice was fitted with a square neckline, side lacing, and a draped skirt. Eirlys removed the velvet sleeves, allowing her chemise too appeared on this warm weather. Her dark curls were down with a few braids pulling back to reveal her face.
Edmund was in awe when she arrived. No longer wearing blacks and grays. Let alone, seeing her skin becoming fair and lips a soft pink.
"You're staring," Eirlys murmured.
"Sorry," Edmund blushed as he sat up straight. "I barely get to see you. I still remember how pale you were when we first met."
"Yes, thank Aslan in melting my frozen heart," she said, plucking a piece of grass.
Edmund couldn't help but agreed. He was thankful that Aslan spared Eirlys's life instead of letting her die when he and his siblings sat on the four thrones. So, when he got word from one of the birds who spotted the Stone Queen entering the Lantern Waste heading towards the White Witch's Castle. He wasted no time to see her. Asking her to be friends is a significant risk, but he is thankful she accepted the friendship. The past few years have been fantastic, although he wished he could see Eirlys more often than the early springs and winters.
"Have you ever visited Cair Paravel?" Edmund asked.
"No, never," Eirlys answered. "Jadis wouldn't allow it. She never let me outside of her castle walls unless I was accompanying her."
"Really?" Edmund asked, surprised.
"At first, I thought it was her way of showing love. How she wanted me close to her. But I knew over time, she didn't want the Light Narnians to get a hold of me. Our magic was bind, and if I was taken, then there was a chance, they would expose her secrets and use me against her."
"And what secret was that?" Edmund asked.
"Aslan told me the truth behind the silver apples. I was told it made her pale and have longevity. However, when one bites into the apple, she gained inexhaustible strength and immortality. But the apple is forbidden, thus that immortality was filled with misery and despair. In other words, I would never be queen, and I went through that abuse for nothing."
"Would you'd have made a difference? If she wasn't immortal, and my family didn't come?" he asked.
Eirlys thought about it, "I don't know. But I'm sure Aslan would have come and melted my frozen heart. Or one day, a boy who craved Turkish Delights."
Edmund couldn't help but blush from that statement. Eirlys giggled slightly, not a chuckle but an actual giggle. He smiled, for he felt like it was an accomplishment when she genuinely laughs. She seemed more human, more alive than she did when they first met nine years ago. That was when he knew he had fallen under her spell. Edmund realized this.
"I…I think you are using glamour again," he said.
Eirlys paused, looking at him, confused. "I'm not. I haven't used glamour since the first time we met."
Edmund was surprised. He wanted to be sure of his feelings, "Close your eyes."
"Why?" she asked, raising a brow.
"Trust me," he assured.
Eirlys chuckled as she closed her eyes. Edmund stared at her uncommon beauty, the traits of her jinn heritage. Yet, her beauty wasn't what infatuated Edmund. It was her soul. Slowly, he leaned forward and caressed her chin. Before Eirlys could ask what he was doing, Edmund pressed his lips against her. The Stone Queen did not respond, as Edmund pecked once more before pulling back. What he saw surprised him, as her fair skin turned red. Her green eyes open in shock.
"You kissed me?" She asked in a whispered.
"Yeah," he answered with a goofy grin. "Probably not the best you have."
"I've never been kissed before."
Edmund couldn't help but smile Able to steal a kiss and be Eirlys first kiss. And many first for the Witch of the West.
The Silver King had to stop himself from there. He knew he failed Eirlys many years ago.
The journey through Narnia was how he wished his family met Eirlys 1300 years ago. Well, how his sisters reacted to the Witch…Peter was a struggle as is to be expected. Now…with Eirlys dead, it was all worth nothing. Edmund thought of a moment of the past.
The griffin landed as he joined his family and the remaining of the troops. A hundred and fifty soldiers went to battle, only half of them returned. Most importantly, Edmund needed to talk to Caspian and Peter about what happened. Something happened that lead to the massacre. On the ground, he saw Glenstorm carrying Trumpkin. Over the past several days, the dwarf has been a good friend to Lucy. Teaching her more knife skills. There was also the debate about Aslan being real or not. The red dwarf even earned the title of DLF, dear little friend.
They reached the field of Aslan's How by dawn. Several of the female Narnians stood at the entrance along with Lucy. She saw most of the battle through the Crystal Orb along with other Narnians, and Windmane by her side. However, the moment the bridge gate was being closed, the crystal orb turned black. Windmane wasn't sure what the blackness meant, took the orb and put it away. Leaving everyone to wonder what happened.
"What happened?" Lucy asked.
"Ask him," Peter growled out.
"Peter," Susan scolded.
"Me?" Caspian replied with venom, stopping in his tracks. "You could've called it off. There was a time."
Peter turned around, facing the prince, "No, there wasn't, thanks to you. If you kept to the plan, those soldiers might be alive right now. "
"If you'd stayed here like I suggested, they definitely would be!" Caspian yelled.
"You called us, remember?" Peter reminded.
"My first mistake," Caspian said.
"No. Your first mistake was thinking you could lead these people." Peter said.
"Hey!" Caspian bellowed, then ground out. "I am not the one who abandoned Narnia."
Peter glared at Caspian pointing his finger out, "You invaded Narnia. You have no more right to lead it than Miraz does."
Caspian shoved Peter going inside.
Peter continued in his rage, "You, him, your father… Narnia's better off without the lot of you."
Something inside Caspian snapped. With a scream and sword, he began to attack Peter. Edmund, who saw this knows this was not what Aslan or Eirlys would want. Not a war between allies.
"Stop it!" Edmund exclaimed.
Glenstorm came forward, which Edmund help set Trumpkin down. Lucy seeing an injured friend rushed over to their aid. She pulled out her cordial and carefully let a single drop fall onto his lips. All eyes were on the injured dwarf, many not seeing the magic of healing of the fire lilies. Caspian, furious, took a deep breath, heading inside, not noticing Nikibrick on his tail.
Windmane noticed one of her sons was missing, a wave of emotions consumed her in the thought of death. Sadly, Glenstorm nodded to the silent question, which brought tears to her eyes. A moment later, Trumpkin woken up with a groan seeing the wonders of the elixir.
"What are you all standing around for?" Trumpkin asked, very grumpily. "Telmarines will be here soon enough."
Everyone nodded as they were gotten up. Trumpkin grabbed a piece of Lucy gown, stopping her,
"Thank you …my dear little friend."
Time went on as the wounded were treated, and the others rested, while those who stayed behind continue their preparations for battle. Edmund confronted Peter and Susan in one of the private rooms.
"What happened?" Edmund demanded.
"Caspian didn't follow to the plan," Peter sneered.
"Because of Cornelius?" Edmund asked.
"No," Susan tried to explain. "He learned that Miraz killed his father."
Edmund stopped looking at his older siblings.
"Instead of going to the gate as promised, he tried to kill Miraz," Peter added.
"And Eirlys?" Edmund asked. "She went to help you."
Susan couldn't answer; with all the chaos that was happening in the courtyard, she didn't see the Witch. Peter, however, looked down. He saw Eirlys, even spoken to her during the retreat. Most importantly, he saw her wounded. When they were running for the horses, he noticed her falling. He had the chance to turn around and help her. But the anger from the past clouded his judgment, the Battle of Beruna running through his head of seeing her attacking his soldiers. The fact she was the daughter of Jadis. So, he continued onward.
"I didn't see her, Glenstorm got me out during the retreat," Susan said, telling the truth.
Both dark hair siblings stared at Peter.
"Peter, did you see her?" Susan asked.
"I did," Peter answered. "She fell during the attack. Badly wounded."
"What?" Edmund barked. "And you did nothing to save her."
"What was I supposed to do?" Peter replied. "Asterius couldn't hold the gate much longer. Besides, she's a witch."
Furious, Edmund attacked, shoving his brother to the wall pinning him there. A fist raised ready to punch Peter but stopped almost an inch from his face. Susan gasped in horror, while Peter stunned by the amount of force. Never since they first enter Narnia did Edmund attacked him. During their reign, they had their arguments in words or settle things out in a noble duel. Never this.
"You left her to die," Edmund seethed.
"Ed- "Peter started.
"No, Ed!" Edmund interrupted. "Eirlys is not Jadis! How many times do we have to tell you that? She betrayed the White Witch, reducing her forces, and never in the Golden Age set war upon us. All she ever cared about were the Narnians, light, and dark. She and the dark were misunderstood. It was she who united them when the Telmarines came. Her ambition is them. Not power, territory, or a damn throne. But the happiness and safety of Narnia." Edmund let go and walked to the door. "You're no High King."
Peter stood there, dumbfounded by what Edmund said. All the sudden guilt consumed him, seeing how much Eirlys has done since their return to Narnia. She protected them in the night, saved Lucy from the feral bear, and, most importantly, lead a rebellion during their absence. At the gate, Peter saw the fear of death on her face. But not the end of hers, but the death of the Narnians who were trapped.
"If I didn't know any better, I would say Edmund truly cared about her," Susan said. "Now that I think about it, it explains everything back in the Golden Age."
"And I was the one separating them," Peter whispered.
Susan nodded.
.o0o.
By dusk, Eletrus, a satyr, was on guard duty. He couldn't rest after the night raid and volunteered to keep a lookout. During his watch, he noticed movement far up at the forest edge. Leaning forward, he realized it was some of the captured soldiers. He counted thirty or so Narnians walking and those who were being dragged or carried back. One notable figure being Rainstorm, as Nausus rode on his back, supporting a hooded figure. He blew the horn, informing the other company.
The Pevensies and others rushed out to see some of their captive soldiers return. Rainstorm noticed Queen Lucy and rushed faster than the others towards them.
"Queen Lucy, quickly, we need your help," Rainstorm said, kneeling down.
Nausus got off and carefully set the injured warrior on the ground.
"Who is it," Lucy asked as she knelt.
The faun removed the hood to reveal a very paled Eirlys. He showed the ghastly wound on Eirlys left side where an infection was taking place. During the journey back, they had removed the armor corset to treat her. The blood coagulated in a deep crimson red, flesh being exposed, and veins vivid blue constraining. Edmund's eyes widen as he rushed over to help Eirlys in a comfortable position. A cry of pain, though weak, escaped her lips.
"We tried the Sun-dropped Lilium, but it wouldn't heal her. No matter how many times and others tried, we couldn't say the spell right," Nausus explained. His arms and fur-covered the woman's blood.
Lucy quickly took her cordial and gently placed it against Eirlys lips. Seeing how devastating the wound was, she added a second drop.
"What happened?" Susan asked. "How did you escape?
Rainstorm looked at them, "Eirlys used magic to save us. None that I ever have seen before."
"What sort of magic?" Peter asked.
"She turned two men to stone and made it storm of a horrendous blizzard." Rainstorm answered. Although, he hesitated as if there was more, but stopped there.
"She made a deal with Miraz," Nausus added. "Let us go or be plagued with eternal winter and sickness. It was still snowing when we left Telmar."
The Pevensies were baffled.
"But the amount of magic came at a prince," Rainstorm added.
Edmund stared at the wound, seeing it magically heal, leaving nothing but a scar. Her skin was still paled and body cold as ice. If not, the veins viciously exposing themselves under her skin. However, there was something else. He saw something black curled around her hip. He couldn't tell if it was painted or not.
"Let's get her inside," Susan suggested.
Edmund nodded as he was about to pick her up. When suddenly, Eirlys gasped, sitting up straight. Her eyes a vibrant green, bloodshot, and dilated.
"Impossible," Eirlys whispered.
"What is it?" Edmund asked.
She looked at him with much horror. The look he saw when she was struck by a dark spell in Jadis's war camp.
"Jadis," she whispered.
.o0o.
Eirlys POV.
Her presence of magic surged through me like fire. A presence, a level of dark magic that was banished not once but twice, the last being the Dark Ages. Along with the essence of Plague and the scent of Famine. Analyzing my surrounding, I could see the Pevensies, Rainstorm, Nausus, Trumpkin, and Trufflehunter. One was missing… Caspian! Where is Caspian? Also, another person, Nikibrik. Realizing who could be triggering such a forbid spell, I got up, ignoring the pain, and rushed inside.
"Eirlys, wait!" Edmund yelled.
"We can't wait!" I shouted. "We must hurry before she returns."
"What are you talking about?" Peter asked, grabbing my arm.
I turned around, glaring at him, "We have no time for an explanation unless you want Jadis to return."
Edmund and Peter's eyes widen.
Yes, Jadis was using dark magic to be resurrected. Long ago, she tried to attempt this, but I banished her soul back to Tash's kingdom. We ran through the How in search for Nikibrik and Caspian. Following the source of magic, we located them at the Stone Table. At the end of the tunnel between the two pillars where a wall of ice stood Jadis. A ghostly figure who managed to break the barrier partly for her hand to escape. There standing before her was Caspian in a deep trance along with Nikibrik, the Hag known as Plague, and the Werewolf name Famine. Jadis's surviving councilmen. Since Otmin, who represented War, was dead, Death was a Horror, a spirit that has been in dormant since the Battle of Beruna.
Famine was restraining Caspian in the circle, with his hand, cut dripping Adams's blood. As Plague was chanting a spell. A Charn spell.
"Stop!" Peter yelled, drawing his sword.
"We must destroy the portal!" I ordered.
Edmund followed along with Lucy with her dagger. Famine let go of Caspian, who was lost in the Jinn's glamor spell. The Werewolf lunged over the Stone Table, attacking Peter. Barely missing him and went after Edmund instead. Trumpkin went after Nikibrik, and Peter went for the Plague. I climbed upon the Stone Table and got into stance.
"Eirlys, my snowdrop," Jadis murmured. "You have returned to me."
"To send you back to hell," I seethed.
"Is that one way to speak to your mother," She cooed. "I know what's best for Narnia."
"I will not have the world be obliviated in fire and water or lost in eternal winter," I yelled.
Taking a deep breath, I sang the incantations of the deep magic to break the connection followed by the spell, ""Wastrel witch of benighted hours are thee vanquished by my powers!" My hands glowed silver, as I blasted grey light onto the portal. The circle forbids anyone who wasn't human to enter. So, I must break the link, or at least push Jadis far deep until one of the Pevensies could destroy it. Only those whose eyes can see and deflect temptation. The words escape my lips, lifting my hands and pushing the magic out to send Jadis back to the pits of Tash. Jadis cried out in agony, forcing all her might in reach for Caspian.
During this confrontation, Edmund managed to slay Famine. Peter was disarmed, but with all his strength, he managed to toss Plague across the room. The hag's head smashing upon the pillars. Nikibrik had disarmed Trumpkin, ready to kill the red dwarf when Lucy intervene. Just as she was about to injure the black dwarf, he got a hold of her arm and swung around and pinned her arm to her back. He shoved her to the ground, Lucy tried to crawl away from being stabbed, when Trumpkin crept behind his once friend and stabbed the traitor in the back.
"Come on! Come," Jadis growled, pushing herself deeper.
Caspian took a step closer, one foot away from the Witch. She was too strong, and I was weak from using the eternal curse. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Peter intervenes, shoving Caspian out of the away. Only now he has entered the circle.
"Get away from him!" Peter yelled.
Jadis pulled back, impressed to see the high king.
I repeated the spell, desperately to send her back. Jadis grabbed hold of the pillar, smiling to see the Son of Adam, who almost defeated her.
"Peter dear, I've missed you." Jadis greeted, offering her hand out.
"Peter, don't," I yelled, feeling the numbness going down my back. "Get out of the circle now!"
Unfortunately, the glamour was taking effect.
"Come. Just one drop." Jadis offered. "You know you can't do this alone."
"Peter! Snap out of it," I exclaimed, trying to conjure more magic.
Peter lowered his sword, taking a step forward. I was about to fling myself upon him, knowing that if I enter the circle would hold the consequence of death. Jadis grinned with many victories until a sharp sound of a crack echoed out. Her green eyes widen, and expression fell into shock. Gazing down at her torso to see a sword had penetrated entirely through her body. The ice portal cracked throughout, disrupting the connection. Jadis spread her arms out, releasing a horrendous banshee-like scream as the ice shattered.
Collapsing onto my knees, panting heavily to see Edmund retracting his sword.
The one who sees temptation and has forsaken it, I thought.
Peter and Caspian corrected themselves, released from the Jinn's glamour effects. They looked at Edmund, sheathing his sword. On his face, written disappointment.
"I know," Edmund said. "You had it sorted."
He walked between them, helping me down off the stone table. Carefully maneuver my body to lean upon him. Unable to argue, I rested my weight against him as we made our way out. Passing Susan, who was disappointed in Peter and Caspian.
We all were.
"Wait," I whispered.
Edmund stopped as we faced the others. I raised a hand and levitated the wand into the brazier in front of Aslan mural. Sparks erupted as the fire purify the remaining magic inside the wand.
"Never again," I managed to say.
Edmund nodded in agreement as he helped out of the chamber.
Thanks for reading, and please leave a review!